police/media letter - update 5/8/07 published

[Ignition22]

i think its top work and if everyone who took the time to critise your letter spent that time writing there own in the way they thought it should be worded and sent it in then would be even better

[Shadow Sol]

i think its top work and if everyone who took the time to critise your letter spent that time writing there own in the way they thought it should be worded and sent it in then would be even better

Thanks, i find it somewhat amusing that a large amount of people that post on this forum get annoyed or upset by these types of news reports, for example anytime they show a "boy racer" on campbell live theres a new thread complaining about it, when i decided to try and point out my thoughts to those people that report such things as well as the police who at the end of the day have to enforce the laws that result from targeting boy racers many of you sit back an nit pick at it? i'm not the worlds best letter writer and perhaps my grammer isnt the best - but the letter is readable and states what i wanted to say, if you can do it better i urge you to do so

[M3_Power]

The moment you come onto a public forum to ask for "thoughts and feedbacks" on a letter that you intend on sending "on behalf of the car enthusiast community" you take upon yourself some form of responsibility to word it right and to get the facts right before making any criticisms (rather than make assumptions that the police got it wrong) - you also open yourself to public criticm and feedbacks.

I was hoping to give some constructive feedback about the letter and if you are not mature enough to accept that then so be it - I am not here to convince the world, only to give my perspective of the situation. I've written countless amounts of letter and I know how to word them properly as to gain affects and feedback. There are no right and wrong here, just difference of perspective.

I know the comments aren't directed at me personally, but honestly find a post on nzhondas or anywhere on the www where I've moaned about the term boy racers being used ... trust me you won't find any. I personally have no real issue with the term being thrown around by the media (especially when used to describe genuine acts of boy racers) - I do however have a problem with the propoganda being run by the media to equate boy racer as "any young person in a modified vehicle".

Like I said the letter is well intended, but I don't think the approach you've taken will get you anywhere.

The moment someone that claims to be a car enthusiast stand up and shout they've been victimised or oppose the term "boy racer" you automatically agree with the usage of the term to describe all car enthusiasts. However in my opinion, a true car enthusiast that don't engage in boy racer activities should have NO PROBLEM whatsoever about the use of the term to desribe idiots that engage in anti social behaviour - in fact a true car enthusiast should at least be distancing themselves from real boy racers and at best condemning the activity itself

Last thought for the day from me .... in my opinion, unless and until the car enthusiast community stand up and DISTANCE itself from boy racers or boy racer activities ... this will never go away. So there's no point jumping up and down and cry about the term being thrown around by the media ... especially if the term was used to describe idiot vandals.

end of comment ...

[Shadow Sol]

constructive feedback is welcome and i have tried to take some of it on board - i am not trying to defend those "boy racers" that are out causing this trouble in the first place but rather the people who build/drive modified vehicles that are treated unfairly due to the actions of others - ie the police pulling over a vehicle because its modified to comb it for compliance issues even though the driver was driving safely and within the law - yet a commodore for example would normally be left out of the same check over.

M3 - as i said alot of people find it offensive - i didnt say M3_power finds it offensive, your feed back was to late to effect the letter that was sent already however if you feel that what i had to say wasnt up to scratch you are free to do as you wish and send your own or dont, really it doesnt bother me - i had good intentions when i wrote it, several people have made alterations to what i originally wrote and i have used some of these in what i have sent.

i didnt set out to upset anyone so to those that feel somewhat uncomfortable im sorry - that wasnt my intention, i felt it was better to do something than sit back and watch

[PIGGKILLA]

Originally Posted by Shadow Sol

constructive feedback is welcome and i have tried to take some of it on board - i am not trying to defend those "boy racers" that are out causing this trouble in the first place but rather the people who build/drive modified vehicles that are treated unfairly due to the actions of others - ie the police pulling over a vehicle because its modified to comb it for compliance issues even though the driver was driving safely and within the law - yet a commodore for example would normally be left out of the same check over.

M3 - as i said alot of people find it offensive - i didnt say M3_power finds it offensive, your feed back was to late to effect the letter that was sent already however if you feel that what i had to say wasnt up to scratch you are free to do as you wish and send your own or dont, really it doesnt bother me - i had good intentions when i wrote it, several people have made alterations to what i originally wrote and i have used some of these in what i have sent.

i didnt set out to upset anyone so to those that feel somewhat uncomfortable im sorry - that wasnt my intention, i felt it was better to do something than sit back and watch

Word!!
Good on ya mate!
8)

[Shadow Sol]

the waikato times asked for a shorter letter to publish - this is what i sent:

On behalf of Car Enthusiast nationwide, I have to say - Enough!
Whilst we don’t wish to be seen as “boy racers” the public fails to see any difference between those of us who drive safely in modified vehicles and use them at legal motor sport events and the ones that are regularly making headlines.

This stereotyping gives the whole scene a bad image; the car-enthusiast community is very diverse and generally well behaved. There are a large number of car clubs operating throughout the country constantly struggling with this “boy racer” stigma that is all too easily flung about by Police and the media alike.
We are given a hard time by the police because of the vehicles we drive yet we are just as lawful as a middle aged man in his commodore, as he drives past - we are pulled up, our vehicles are combed for compliance issues when vehicles that shouldn’t even be on the road are ignored.

We realize that some people do earn this bad image, there are bad egg’s in every community, however when a young person gets behind the wheel and does something stupid its immediately held over all of us like we made them do it, treat each person as an individual, stop blaming us all for the few that cause trouble, We’ve had enough and just want a fair opportunity to enjoy our cars – safely.

Darrin Smith.

i recieved a response today saying it would be published this week, i alsol recieved a letter from the police complaints board acknowledging my letter, it states that my complaint is appropriate for district complaint resolution - and has been referred to the commissioner at police national headquarters for appropriate action. it says i will be contacted by an officer detailed to investigate my complaint and at the conclusion of the investigation i will be advised in writing of the result and decision reached.

[DrRubber]

good stuff sol, and when you do get a response (from the police complaints dept) If its wether its favourable or not im sure the times would like to hear about that also 8)

[Nicolla]

Thats awsome news man, look forward to hearing more Good to see someones putting in the effort :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Tec' Wingz]

Top points for effort :thumbsup:

[zerone]

:thumbsup: :!:

It's always good to know when a voice is heard...or read for that matter.

[crx_bob]

Thats some good responces from them, hope that it gets tkaen further.
Top points for effort, Hope that one man can make a difference :thumbsup:

[BHybrid]

Top Notch, good on ya fella.

[VTAKYO]

Good stuff man. Those are the excellent responses we could only have wished for! Best of luck for further proceedings.

[Soichiro]

Originally Posted by Ignition22

i think its top work and if everyone who took the time to critise your letter spent that time writing there own in the way they thought it should be worded and sent it in then would be even better

Not the point, suggestions were asked for and given in good faith and I'm sure the writer took them into consideration. It doesn't hurt to have other peoples opinions, it helps you focus on what you're doing.

No need to apologise either Sol, as a prolific stirrer when need be I know the satisfaction of taking a stand, making your point and maybe changing attitudes along the way. If it rattles a few cages well WTF.

So a big ups for doing it and congrats on the response :thumbsup:

[Gridlock]

wow thats kool... campbell live here we come hahaha 8)

[XPLOIT]

Good work man, keep us informed!

[Shadow Sol]

Letter was published on saturday night in the waikato times - under letters to the editor - won letter of the week 8O

[Frost]

Choice man :thumbsup:

[Horny_Devil]

nice id like to see what coments people have about the letter in the coming weeks in the waikato times

[VTAKYO]

Indeed. Would be cool if you could scan the published article and any replies to it.

[d16a7]

Originally Posted by Shadow Sol

Letter was published on saturday night in the waikato times - under letters to the editor - won letter of the week 8O

any prize for your letter of the week?

[Moclov]

Good shit :thumbsup:

[DrRubber]

perfect result bro :thumbsup: keen as to see responses also

[Naturally Aspirated]

Originally Posted by badcf4

perfect result bro :thumbsup: keen as to see responses also

x2

[Kiwi XTR2]

Originally Posted by badcf4

perfect result bro :thumbsup: keen as to see responses also

So is anyone from the Waikato going to write a response endorsing the original letter?